Exploring the Meaning and Etymology of 'Mor' or 'Miur' or 'Myr' in Scots

Understanding the Scots language can often be a challenge, especially when encountering less common or archaic words. This article delves into the meaning and etymology of the word 'mor' or 'miur' or 'myr' in Scots, helping to clarify its usage and significance.

Etymology and Usage

The term 'mor' or its variants 'miur' or 'myr' in Scots can refer to several different concepts depending on the context.

Scots National Dictionary (SNDe)

According to the Scottish National Dictionary (SNDe), the word 'mor' in Scots can have the following meanings:

A verb meaning 'moor': to secure a boat or ship. A variant spelling of the adjective 'more': indicating a greater quantity or degree. A variant spelling of the noun 'muir': meaning moorland or a tract of uncultivated land. A variant spelling of the noun 'multure': a percentage of grain retained by a miller as his fee for grinding it.

These meanings are relatively rare, and they might only have been used in certain local dialects of Scots.

Scottish Gaelic Connection

Despite the lack of the word 'mor' in Scots, there is indeed a word with a similar meaning in Scottish Gaelic, which is called 'mòr'. The term 'mòr' in Scottish Gaelic means 'big' or 'large'. It is often attached to personal names and can also represent a pronoun meaning 'the Great'.

It is important to note that Scottish Gaelic is a distinct language from Scots, which is considered a Germanic language closely related to English and Frisian. The word 'mòr' in Scottish Gaelic has no direct correlation to the usage of 'mor' in Scots.

Differences and Advancements in Language

Scots and modern English are variants of the west and north German Sprachraum dialects. This means that both languages share common roots and have evolved over time. However, Irish and Scottish Gaelic are not Germanic languages and predate modern English by approximately 2000 years. Both languages are mutually understandable, and Scottish Gaelic is derived from the Middle Irish version of Irish Gaelic.

The term 'mor' in the context of Scotland likely refers to the soil science term 'humus'. Humus is a discrete layer on top of the soil that contains little or no mineral soil and is characteristic of coniferous forests. It is usually strongly acidic, and its presence often indicates a healthy soil ecosystem.

Secondary Examples

When using the term 'big' (which is one possible meaning of 'mor') in Scots, it carries a different connotation compared to its English counterpart. In Scots, 'big' can mean 'older' or 'senior', while 'bausy' is used to describe something that is large, fat, or coarse. Therefore, a secondary school in Scots would be referred to as the 'big' school, while 'the big man' would mean the 'bausy man' or the person of larger stature.

For example:

Dont tell us yere gaun tae the big school noo — This means the secondary school in Scots.

The big man there — This could be translated to 'the bausy fella yonder' in Scots.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of the Scots language is crucial for scholars, linguists, and anyone interested in the rich and diverse linguistic heritage of Scotland. The term 'mor' or its variants in Scots provides a fascinating glimpse into the history and usage of words in a dialect that shares many roots with English, yet remains uniquely Scottish.